Besides hypoalbuminemia, which lipid-related bloodwork change may be observed in PLE?

• A. Low cholesterol
• B. Hypercholesterolemia
• C. High triglycerides
• D. Normal cholesterol

Answer: (A)

Protein-losing enteropathy causes loss of not only albumin but also circulating lipoproteins through the gut. Since lipoproteins carry cholesterol, their loss lowers the serum cholesterol level. So, along with hypoalbuminemia, a reduced cholesterol level is a typical lipid-related change in PLE.

Hypercholesterolemia or high triglycerides would not fit this pattern, as the problem is loss of lipoproteins from the intestinal lumen rather than overproduction or impaired clearance of lipids. Normal cholesterol could occur in some conditions, but the common finding with PLE involving lipid loss is decreased cholesterol.